Bangkok, the metropolis of gastronomic delights, infamous nightlife, and swarming tourists, now has another sobriquet: It’s one of Asia’s most polluted cities, at least in the past couple of weeks. Brent Lewin / Bloomberg

Skift Take: Some tourists these days may care less about the health risk posed by intense air pollution than a trip's Instagram photo worthiness that might get ruined by smog.

]]>273111Bangkok, the metropolis of gastronomic delights, infamous nightlife, and swarming tourists, now has another sobriquet: It’s one of Asia’s most polluted cities, at least in the past couple of weeks.Brent Lewin / BloombergThe Selfie Comes First in This Indonesian Tourism Villagehttps://skift.com/2018/02/14/the-selfie-comes-first-in-this-indonesian-tourism-village/
Wed, 14 Feb 2018 22:00:32 +0000https://skift.com/?p=272842

Visitors pose for a selfie at Kalibiru Tourism Village in Indonesia. Providing professional photography services to travelers is big business. Dimas Ardian / Bloomberg

Skift Take: Selfies aren't cutting it. It's now standard for tour companies to build professional photography into their packages, for those who can afford it -- the photographer, the wardrobe, the props, and the equipment to hang you off a cliff. When did a day trip to a park become America's Next Top Luxury Traveler?

]]>272844Chinese tourists, such as the ones pictured here at the Binnenhof in the Hague, Netherlands, are taking their tech abroad. Chinese companies see an advantage in that.Remon Rijper / FlickrChinese Attractions Invest in Augmented Reality to Attract Touristshttps://skift.com/2018/02/14/chinese-attractions-invest-in-augmented-reality-to-attract-tourists/
Wed, 14 Feb 2018 14:00:31 +0000https://skift.com/?p=272612

Attractions throughout China are using light shows to attract tourists, hoping to compete with similar displays elsewhere in the world. Pictured is the light show at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. aotaro / Flickr

Skift Take: Many travel companies still struggle to harness the best of augmented and virtual reality, which haven't exactly taken off like some people imagined. Maybe these attractions in China are doing it right, or more affordably.

]]>272612Attractions throughout China are using light shows to attract tourists, hoping to compete with similar displays elsewhere in the world. Pictured is the light show at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. aotaro / FlickrTravel Megatrends 2018: Ctrip Branches Out as Rivals Focus on Domestic Growthhttps://skift.com/2018/02/13/travel-megatrends-2018-ctrip-branches-out-as-rivals-focus-on-domestic-growth/
https://skift.com/2018/02/13/travel-megatrends-2018-ctrip-branches-out-as-rivals-focus-on-domestic-growth/#respondTue, 13 Feb 2018 06:00:43 +0000https://skift.com/?p=271747

The government in China wants Chinese companies to keep their money in the country. Even companies that want to grow internationally find it much easier to focus on the domestic market.
Bett Norris / Skift

Skift Take: The global travel industry wonders when Chinese companies and investors will play a bigger role. Restrictions on foreign investment are getting tighter. On the other hand, maybe they’re just not that into us.

]]>https://skift.com/2018/02/13/travel-megatrends-2018-ctrip-branches-out-as-rivals-focus-on-domestic-growth/feed/0271747The government in China wants Chinese companies to keep their money in the country. Even companies that want to grow internationally find it much easier to focus on the domestic market.
Bett Norris / SkiftChina’s Bullet Trains Are Remaking Its Lunar New Year Holidayhttps://skift.com/2018/02/11/chinas-bullet-trains-are-remaking-its-lunar-new-year-holiday/
Sun, 11 Feb 2018 23:30:41 +0000https://skift.com/?p=272399

Bullet trains in Shanghai's central station. The United States Army Band / Flickr

Skift Take: China's massive investments in its transportation infrastructure are nothing short of astounding.

]]>272399Bullet trains in Shanghai's central station. The United States Army Band / FlickrGetting Rid of Steve Wynn Could Help the Gaming Company in Giant Macau Markethttps://skift.com/2018/02/10/getting-rid-of-steve-wynn-could-help-the-gaming-company-in-giant-macau-market/
Sat, 10 Feb 2018 22:00:11 +0000https://skift.com/?p=272349

Billionaire Steve Wynn’s resignation as head of his gaming empire may alleviate concerns over the future of Wynn Macau Ltd.’s license in the world’s biggest gambling hub. Bloomberg

Skift Take: The new license was going to be tough, and Wynn's behavior would have been a factor. The hotel giant needs to make sure it has serious and talented management in place now that he's gone – he can't be secretly operating behind the scenes.

South Korea is concerned whether it will be able to attract more tourism from China after its massive investment in the Olympics. Pictured are tourists at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games Torch Relay Final Day. Andy Miah / Flickr

Skift Take: South Korea doesn't want just any Chinese tourists – it wants high spenders who can help bring the country's tourism economy out of a slump.

]]>272201South Korea is concerned whether it will be able to attract more tourism from China after its massive investment in the Olympics. Pictured are tourists at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games Torch Relay Final Day.Andy Miah / FlickrTravel Megatrends 2018: Asian Upscale Travelers Are Creating a Luxury Tipping Pointhttps://skift.com/2018/02/09/travel-megatrends-2018-asian-upscale-travelers-are-creating-a-luxury-tipping-point/
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 06:30:50 +0000https://skift.com/?p=271855

The number of Asian luxury travelers is increasing, but their needs are growing more diverse. Bett Norris / Skift

Skift Take: 2018 will see greater numbers of Asian luxury travelers, but also greater challenges to meet more complex needs. As these travelers want to play in Asia, new high-end agencies are entering, while old ones are restructuring, creating new luxury divisions, or launching new luxury brands.

]]>271855The number of Asian luxury travelers is increasing, but their needs are growing more diverse.Bett Norris / SkiftThe Maldives Is at the Center of a Battle for Power Between China and Indiahttps://skift.com/2018/02/07/the-maldives-is-at-the-center-of-a-battle-for-power-between-china-and-india/
Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:00:40 +0000https://skift.com/?p=271669

A power struggle in the Maldives, a tiny Indian Ocean nation known for scenic luxury resorts and crystal-clear blue water, is taking center stage in a wider battle for regional influence between India and China. Bloomberg

Skift Take: Despite all the recent political problems, travel companies continue to send tourists to the Maldives. The tourism industry is happy to turn a blind eye and this seems unlikely to change anytime soon.

]]>271669A power struggle in the Maldives, a tiny Indian Ocean nation known for scenic luxury resorts and crystal-clear blue water, is taking center stage in a wider battle for regional influence between India and China. / Bloomberg